Mayan Head Bookends Appraisal

Art Deco Style Alabaster Aztec or Mayan Head Bookends

This is a pair of vintage carved bookends featuring stylized heads reminiscent of Aztec, Mayan, or other Mesoamerican indigenous profiles. The items are crafted from a solid translucent stone, likely alabaster or onyx, characterized by a soft creamy white base with natural orange and amber-toned veining throughout. Each bookend consists of a hand-carved sculptural bust mounted onto a flat, rectangular base of the same material. The figures are depicted wearing elaborate, tiered headdresses with sharp, geometric lines characteristic of the Art Deco period, likely dating from the 1930s to the 1950s. The carving shows a moderate level of craftsmanship, with simplified facial features and rhythmic, grooved patterns in the headdresses. Condition appears fair; there is visible discoloration and surface staining on the upper portions of the figurines, along with minor chipping and abrasions along the sharp corners and edges of the bases. No maker's marks or signatures are visible in the provided image. The stone exhibits a soft, matte patina consistent with age and natural mineral composition. These pieces represent a popular mid-20th-century trend of 'Ethnic Revival' or 'Neo-Precolumbian' decorative arts.